Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Al-Sisi urges accelerated oil, gas discoveries, lower import bill    SCZONE signs $52.6m textile industry deals during China investment tour    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



bmi launches upgraded business service from Cairo
Published in Daily News Egypt on 03 - 06 - 2009

CAIRO: Bmi Egypt has launched new and improved business and premium economy service to London following its move to Cairo Airport's new Terminal 3.
The new service offers business travelers complimentary chauffer service in London and Cairo, meals prepared by an on-board chef, lie-flat beds and a variety of entertainment options.
Star Alliance members moved to the new terminal in early May following trial flights at the beginning of the month.
While the dining and shopping areas of the new terminal are still largely under construction, sophisticated security technology and automated services are up and running.
"The new space is huge and almost fully automated. The baggage screening and security technology in the terminal is more advanced than in most European and UK airports, explained Ahmed Elhawary, bmi Egypt's airport manager.
A new star alliance lounge, set for completion on July 1, is currently under construction in Terminal 3. At Heathrow Airport, bmi's recently renovated terminal 1 features a newly opened international lounge, bmi no. 1 Heathrow.
Daily News Egypt sat down with Dave Walsh, the airline's commercial manager for Egypt, to learn more about the its new offerings out of Cairo, plans for expansion, and the status of Lufthansa's takeover bid.
Daily News Egypt: How has bmi's new business service been received in Cairo?
Dave Walsh: So far things have been going very well and the new business cabin has been fully booked on almost every flight. Our main challenge is raising awareness about the new service and building name recognition. We've been working closely with companies, travel agencies and business chambers here in Cairo and people are responding positively.
People are willing to do business and we ve seen openness and eagerness from the community in response to this new service. This gives me a lot of hope for the future; we want to build upon our success with customers to make sure they come back and become frequent fliers.
What are the outstanding features of bmi's business and premium economy cabins?
At bmi we offer the best premium economy and business service in the market. Our premium economy is on the standard of business class with other airlines, and our business class is essentially the same as a first-class product.
The cabins are outstanding in terms of entertainment, spaciousness, cuisine and service. Our goal is to make the journey from terminal to terminal smooth and efficient for all our customers and we have accomplished this with expedited security, a free chauffer service and efficient, modern terminals in both Cairo and London. The introduction of the Airbus A330 in April has helped us to expand service as well.
What is the nature of bmi's partnership with EgyptAir?
EgyptAir and bmi offer different services, but we are working together effectively to provide the best service to our customers. For example, our London flight flies out in the evening and EgyptAir's departs in the morning, so we give our customers the option of taking each other's flights if it is more convenient for their schedule. Cooperation like this helps us both provide a better product and we hope to continue coming up with new ways to work together.
What is the status of the Lufthansa bid to take over bmi?
It is underway. The takeover was approved by the European Union on May 14, and is in progress. I think it will be a great partnership for us because bmi and Lufthansa share the same values. bmi will help Lufthansa expand service in the UK and Lufthansa will help bmi increase international coverage and this will benefit all of our customers.
Does bmi have plans to expand destinations or increase flights from Cairo?
We are always open to expansion and we are looking at the possibility of adding more daily flights from Cairo to London, possibly to start in the winter. At present bmi flies to several destinations in the Middle East and we'd love to expand if the market conditions are right. We'll see what the future brings.
How has the swine flu outbreak affected business?
The swine flu scare has not impacted our business, we continue to maintain the same standards on our flights to make sure all of our planes are safe for our customers.
And the economic crisis?
The financial crisis has not impacted our business out of Cairo so far. In fact, our business is growing rapidly due to the introduction of our new business service and we hope it will continue to do so.


Clic here to read the story from its source.